I'm gaining weight after 3 fills.

I've read the following.

Has anyone been thought this terrible time?

Thanks,

Carol

Please read below...

Lap Band and weight GAIN...

Is there such a thing as having the band tightened too much?

Yes, the band can be over-adjusted. When the band is too tight, patients cannot eat solid foods without regurgitating the food or feeling very uncomfortable for many hours. When the band is too tight, patients tend to gain weight because they are resorting to the liquid and/or softer foods that travel through the band easily. These foods tend to be higher in fat and higher in sugar. When patients start this dysfunctional eating pattern, they are taking in more calories than if the band was looser. A band that is too tight will also cause heartburn and coughing in some patients.

If after surgery, and despite following all the rules, I am at a plateau of weight loss, what should I do?

Plateaus are a normal part of the weight loss process. In the first year or two after surgery, weight loss plateau usually means that you need to come in and have a little bit of Fluid put in the band to increase restriction. Occasionally, plateaus are caused by the Band being too tight. If the Band is too tight, weight loss will resume after a little fluid is taken out of the Band. If the above causes are ruled out, we will have you keep a food and exercise diary. The diary will include the times and quantities of foods eaten, drinks taken, Protein grams consumed, and an exercise log. We may have you consult with the dietician as well.

What happens if 10 years from now I start to gain weight? What do I do?

We see you annually in the office for a check-up, however if you are gaining weight, it is time to come in so that we can assess the problem. It could mean that you need a little adjustment in your band volume to provide a little more restriction. There may be a problem related to the types of food you are eating or there may have been a life crisis and emotional eating or depression may be taking hold.

Hi Carol

after one fill, I had lost 37lb, I then began to put weight back on. I just felt that I could eat as much as before my banding and started to over indulge again. All the time, I kept thinking, "oh well, I will lose it when I get a fill"

I had a second fill just about three weeks a go now, I begged for a large fill and was given an extra 1.5ml. Straight away I felt that I was a little over tight. I struggled to eat anything without vomiting. I lost 9lb almost immediately. I tried to stick to a little food and often, but just couldn't find the right consistancy/type of food.

My son has become very ill, I now feel very stressed and unable to organise my own life, whilst caring for my son. I have definitely begun resorting to liquid and innappropriate foods. Especially chocolate. I have put a couple of pounds on and despair at the thought of gaining more. I fear having a reduction, I really don't know which direction to take/

Just know that you are not struggling alone Carol.

Sorry if I have ranted a bit!!

Thank you so much for responding. Everytime I post something, no one ever seems to want to reply to my questions. So I stopped coming to this forum for a long time. I thought one more time, I'll try and ask for some support and information. Thank you for replying. You have given me hope. I keep thinking as well, that with my next fill, I will lose more. And I do, except when I get back to the solid foods, most don't stay down all the time, and it seems like I can eat every other day. And what I reach for as the things to I know go down and stay down, but they are filled with calories. I was walking every day at lunch, 2 miles, but then, winter set in, and I have stopped walking and got busy with other stuff. So that definitely stopped my weight loss dead in its tracks. I know what I need to do, it's a matter of doing it, and struggling so much with eating every day discourages me from accepting the truth: Small portions, best food choices and exercise. God Bless you and I hope you are very successful and keep pushing forward in your weight loss journey!

Carol

Carol, I know it's tough....I've been there, I've hit several plateaus during my weight loss, etc. You definitely are not alone. One thing that helps tremendously is writing down everything you eat....we can forget so easily what and how much we eat. If you track it, you become so aware of what you are eating. Don't beat yourself up when you get off track and you need to get rid of the old behavior "I will lose it when I get my next fill"...replace it with "I will try and do better tomorrow.....and then do better tomorrow. Good luck

Carol

thanks for your kind reply, I really feel that we can crack this thing.

After your banding, did you ever get any dietry advice? I didn't, although I suppose we are all kinda experts in it really. I would like to see examples of small meals that are suitable, perhaps some kind of eating plan.

I am trying to link up locally with a group of fellow banded guys, if any eating plans exist or if there is any good advice, I'll let you know.

God bless

Garry

I often wanted to see a week's worth of what people eat.

After the fill, my praticular surgeon has me on clear liquids for one week, full liquids for the second week, pureed foods, the third week, and soft foods the forth week. Just like after surgery. The same schedule.

Today for breakfast I had a "Kellogg's Special K20 protein Water." I didn't feel like Isopure protein drink and I did not feel like a Protein shake. The downside is the Kelloggs protein water only has 5 grams of protein while the shakes and isopure have 40 grams. Big difference. Lunch today is a bowl of chopped up tomatoes and a side salad. I don't know what I will do with dinner. Depends if I can keep this salad down or not. So far so good. I am terrible at filling up on Crystal Lite Ice Tea all day. What is everyone else eating. Can anyone share a week's menu with us so we can get on track, too? Steamed vegies do not go down. Too much throwing up and slime and spitting up.

An example of a day for me would be:

B-Protein shake (8oz. 1% milk, 1 scoop body flex protein, 1 banana)

L-1 can tuna in water drained 1T lite miracle whip, 5 wheat crackers

S-fruit or granola bar for snack

D-1/3 grilled chicken breast, small salad, spoonful of veggies

S-100cal. candy bar

My days don't always go this good, but I really try to do this most of the time. I am going in for a fill on the 20th, so this will decrease a bit after that.

Im in the same situation. In october I received a fill that I thought was going to help me. I finally have restriction but now too much. I have found myself eating bad things just because they go down and stay. Im gaining weight. From my lowest weight Im now up about 30lbs. I cant believe that Im letting this happen again. Im going to try so hard to make this work again. I have too. Im so ashmed of myself.

I just realized this thread is over a year old. Oh well it helps just to write down my thoughts to make me more aware. If I post where people can see than I feel as if Im no longer hideing from the truth.

Edited February 2, 200917 yr by violeteyes37

I had my lapband 3 years ago and its totaly full. I cant have anymore fills. I have lost 60 pds and in past 2 years i have gained back 20lbs. Im not much of exercise person. I seem to snack all day long and DONT eat any healthy meals. I seem to live on granola bars, rice cakes, cheese and Soup. I feel like i have had the band for nothing and will gain the weight back. Can someone help? :confused:

Jean